The Mercado district west of Interstate 10 will double in size this weekend when the long-awaited MSA Annex opens.Β
It's a shopping center made of shipping containers that will host 13 local businesses just south of the original Mercado San AgustΓn. That market opened seven years ago. The spaces in the annex range from 320 square feet to 1000 square feet.Β Β
A postal worker drops off a delivery as management and tenants convene outside the Dust and Heritage shop at the MSA Annex, 267 S Avenida del Convento, on May 2, 2018.
"The Mercado SanΒ AgustΓnΒ was always meant to be a first phase, a seedling of what would become a market district," said Kira Dixon-Weinstein, the executive director of the Mercado and the MSA Annex. "This is the expansion, and it's all about small business incubation."Β
Eight of the 13 businesses at the MSA Annex will open this weekend.Β
Final touches are being applied as viewed from the Why I Love Where I Live shop window at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, on May 2, 2018.
Those are:Β
β’ Avenue BoutiqueΒ isΒ a shop selling women's clothing and accessories. This is the store's second location.Β
β’ Dust and Heritage sells vintage home decor and does event and interior design and staging.Β
β’ Fletcher and Co.Β is a family photography business that specializes in portraits and sells minimalist, nature-inspired prints.Β
β’ Luca Ryann's tagline is "minimalist vintage staples for the modern woman."
HF Coors plates made for Now or Never for sale at the MSA Annex, 267 S Avenida del Convento, on May 2, 2018.
β’ Now or Never sells home decor, gifts and natural skincare products.Β
β’ Transit Cycles was previously at the Mercado SanΒ AgustΓn. The bike shop specializes in equipping people to use bikes as transportation.Β
β’ Westbound is a bar by Tap & Bottle.Β
β’ Why I Love Where I Live wants to encourage people to love Tucson. You'll find lots of Tucson swag in their shop.Β
Notebooks, cards and stickers for sale at the Why I Love Where I Love shop at the MSA Annex, 267 S Avenida del Convento, on May 2, 2018.
The other businesses should open over the course of May, Dixon-Weinstein said.Β
Those are:Β
β’ Beaut Burger, with plant-based burgers.Β
β’ Hermosa Coffee RoastersΒ sells coffee.Β
β’ Isabella's Ice CreamΒ makes natural ice cream. You can find them in other locations on Fourth Avenue and in the new American Eat Co.Β
One business can't yet be named, and another is Flam Chen, the annex's "resident theater company," Dixon-Weinstein said.Β
The annex also has an entertainment space that will get some use during this weekend's block party and Spring Bazaar.Β
If you go
What:Β A block party, Spring Bazaar and grand opening of the MSA Annex.
When: The festivities at the MSA Annex begin with a ribbon-cutting and music Friday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. Music at the annex will continue through Saturday. The Spring Bazaar is Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the annex and Mercado.
Where: MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento, and Mercado SanΒ AgustΓn, 100 S. Avenida del Convento.Β
Cost: Free.
More info: VisitΒ facebook.com/msaannex.
